"The economy, together with easing worries about the violence in Iraq [3] and even President Barack Obama [4]'s election" is benefiting the U.S. Army. With the "constant reporting that we are going to downsize and leave" Iraq, it's been easier for the Army to meet recruiting goals, said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley. "How long we stay there is still being worked out, but it's fairly well-understood that we are going to lower the number of troops in Iraq, regardless of how long we stay there." In 2008, the Army recruited 517 more people than its goal of 80,000. Still, recruiting isn't easy, especially with the build-up of troops in Afghanistan [5]. The Army's attempts to deliver "a precise, tailored message to the 17- to 24-year-olds and their parents" include Nascar and NHRA race sponsorship, online ads and games, the GoArmy.com website and "a Yahoo instant-messaging product [6] that has gotten more than 1 million hits."